The weather in Copenhagen has truly never been so good, and we’re going to take advantage of every sun-soaked minute of it. With the Scandinavian seasons, you never know when it will switch into fall, so it’s best to take every sunny, warm day as a gift.
Though August can feel like a bit of a slow month – lots of businesses close for a week or two for summer holiday – there’s still plenty to do in the city, including festivals, markets, exhibitions, Pride, and a lot more!
Here are the best events happening in Copenhagen this August:
Friday 3rd August
Roastery Tour at Coffee Collective
Wondering how an independent roastery gets their coffee beans? Copenhagen’s best roastery, Coffee Collective, will give an in-depth tour of their facility/cafe in Frederiksberg. The tour also includes a cupping (coffee tasting) and a bag of beans to take home afterwards. Tickets are 150 DKK and no reservations are needed.
Carlsberg Friday
Carlsberg’s traditional Friday summer evening takes place once a month and it’s great fun if you feel like a few cold beers, a hot dog, and good company. Entrance is always free and there’s live music. There is even a shuttle that takes you to and from Visit Carlsberg, leaving from Vester Volgade just next to Central Station. Easy!
Saturday 4th August
Stella Polaris
This free all-day musical event in Frederiksberg Have is fun for the whole family. Bring a blanket, remember to apply your sunscreen, and be sure to buy drinks in the bars (that’s the only way to financially support the festival!). This year’s line up includes Kalle B, Nicka, and Iris Gold.
Lys Nætter
This is the second installation in a series of three day-long literary celebrations during the summer. Entry is free, and there are events all day including a children’s event (in Danish), a sci-fi workshop, cold beers, food, music, and (duh) authors talking about books. Things get started at 12:30 on Møllegade in Nørrebro.
Vild Vin Festival
Are you a wine lover? Come taste from a selection of over 100 “wild wines,” and learn from the growers themselves. This takes place at Villa Kultur. There are a variety of ticket choices, from a basic tasting ticket to ones that include food pairing or a full dinner.
https://www.facebook.com/bitmecrew/videos/1808189022571265/
Sunday 5th August
Proust and Women
Politikens Bohandel book club will hold a free discussion, lead by Proust-expert Neal Ashley Conrad, on the role of women in Proust’s work from 4 – 5 pm. This event is in Danish.
Monday 6th August
Fantastic Negrito at Lille Vega
See the truly fantastic Fantastic Negrito (a.k.a. Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz), the American singer and songwriter combining blues, rock, funk, and hiphop for a sound that’s both a throwback and totally unique. If you haven’t heard his voice yet, get on that.
Tuesday 7th- Thursday 9th August
Copenhagen Fashion Week
Whether you’re in the fashion industry or just into your own personal style, fashion week has something for you! Three days of runway shows, plus parties, presentations, and a good number of free events too. Check Scandinavia Standard and our Instagram throughout the week for runway shows and behind-the-scenes peeks!
Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th August
Copenhagen Summer Dance
Three days and six dance performances from some of the most respected dancers and choreographers in the world. This event is a special treat and dance-lovers of all ages should grab the (VERY CHEAP!) tickets while they can!
Friday 10th – Saturday 11th August
Haven Festival
With input from world-famous chefs, artists, musicians, and other captains of industry, HAVEN Festival will be a sensual treat across categories. Located on Refshaleøen, this two-day experience celebrates the intersections of different expressions of creativity. This year’s musical line up includes Ariel Pink, Arcade Fire, and Dirty Projectors.
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th August
Street Food on the Lakes
Three days of food trucks, drinks, and good vibes along the Lakes. What more can you ask for (other than continued good weather)?
Sunday 12th August
Summer Gumbo Fest
How does a big pot of summer gumbo (pescatarian or vegan, your choice), roasted plantain, glasses of cold natural wine, and a refreshing hibiscus cocktail sound for a steamy night? The Caribbean Housewife, a.k.a. chef Jamain Brigitha, will be serving her summer gumbo at Blaagern restaurant for one night only. Book your ticket now, they’re going to go fast! Gumbo is extremely hard to find in Copenhagen, so this is a major moment for those missing the dish.
Monday 13th – Sunday 19th August
Copenhagen Pride Week
Hurray, it’s Pride! Celebrate and support the LGBTQAI+ resistance all week (and throughout the year, of course). There’s both fun entertainment and a human rights program. Pride parade takes place on Saturday the 18th, beginning at Frederiksberg Town Hall and ending at Copenhagen City Hall.
Wednesday 15th August
Solange at Tivoli
One of the best and most artistic performers of our time, Solange combines melodic soul-pop with a strong message of black excellence and female excellence. Her shows are just as much art installation as they are concert.
Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th August
Egmont Festival
The country’s biggest university festival is back again this year with a pretty rad lineup including Minds of 99 and First Hate (who put on a killer show!). See it all for 275 dkk across three days, or 175 per day.
Saturday 18th August – Monday 10th September
Arabian Nights Festival
Join Cinemateket for their series on Arab culture, including films, talks, and events. There will be both narrative and documentary films, exploration of the current situation in countries such as Syria, and some good music to boot.
Sunday 19th August
Rita Blå Lopper
A good old fashioned flea market with loads of second-hand clothes, accessories, children’s items, and home goods. There will be coffee, freshly-made pancakes, and Moroccan food to buy. Entry is free.
Monday 20th August
Flogging Molly at Store Vega
Combine folk, punk, and traditional Irish music and what do you get? Flogging Molly. They put on a rockin’ show that’s as emotional as it is foot-stompingly good.
Wednesday 22nd August
Noname at Lille Vega
American rapper and hip-hop artist Noname (a.k.a. Fatimah Warner) brings incredible flow and lyrics to her music. She’s really exploding at the moment and for good reason – this is talent you need to hear to believe. This concert is sold out but there’s a waitlist if you’re hoping to get a ticket!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUncXbXAiV0&frags=pl%2Cwn
Friday 24th – Saturday 25th August
UHØRT Festival
This festival showcases emerging Danish musicians- the ones you’ve probably never heard of, but definitely should. Performances this year include Tyrees Tyr, Ida Reed, Cousin, and so many more. Get out there and discover some up-and-coming artists! A ticket for the whole festival is only 175 DKK.
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th August
Copenhagen Yoga Festival
Yoga practitioners of all ages and abilities are welcome at this three day festival at Amager Strandpark. There will also be a vegetarian food festival, talks, events for kids, booths selling goods, and other fun goings-on. Access to the site is free, but you must purchase a ticket to take part in the classes and the food festival (925 DKK for both festivals combined).
Saturday 25th August
Rigtig Cider – Copenhagen Cider Festival
Try some delicious “real” cider – without pasteurising or additional sugar. The festival runs all day at Israel Plads and you can buy a ticket for tasting, or buy yourself a few bottles to take home (why not both?!).
Thursday 30th – Friday 31st August
Bite Copenhagen
Called a “food fair of the future,” Bite Copenhagen highlights the latest in food trends and innovation. Browse food stalls from a number of countries, cuisines, and exciting practices. Those in the food industry can register for free, while those who just want to go as guests can buy a ticket for 145 DKK.
Thursday 30th August – 2nd Sunday September
Code Art Fair
An international art fair with a mission to discover and showcase some of the best contemporary art, not only from the Scandinavian region, but from all around the world, including emerging galleries from Europe and the Americas.
Friday 31st August – 2nd Sunday September
CHART Art Fair
The largest contemporary art fair in the Nordic region, CHART celebrates both art and design. The art fair is located at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, and the design exhibition can be seen at Den Frie Udstillingsbygning in Østerbro. There will be a number of events, under the umbrella “CHART Social,” exploring the intersection between art, design, performance, and food.
Friday 31st August
Grandmaster Flash at Store Vega
Considered one of the pioneers of hip-hop and DJing, Grandmaster Flash is an American artist and has been in such groups as Sugarhill Gang and, most notably, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. His work is iconic, and getting eyes on this show is something all hip-hop fans will be trying to do.
Ongoing in August
“VERY: Ed Ruscha on Paper” Exhibit at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
See 54 paper works by living legend American artist Ed Ruscha, together for the first time thanks to the UBS Art Collection. Ruscha’s sly take on American culture, and particularly the LA landscape, is a real treat.
A selection of Ed Ruscha’s books, © Ed Ruscha. Courtesy of the artist & Gagosian as well as UBS Art Collection.
Made in China Film Festival
Almost every day from 5th – 21st August, there will be a Chinese film shown at Cinemateket. If you’re not already familiar with the diverse range of film genres coming out China, this is a great place to start!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SF09kZZeTE&frags=pl%2Cwn
Veras Market Under Buen
Every Sunday in August, you’ll find Veras Market under the arches of Bispeengen in Frederiksberg. Browse racks full of second-hand and vintage clothes until you find that special gem. Veras Market has a commission system, so you can trade in your old clothes and build up points to buy items you’d prefer.
Up Sessions on the Rooftop
Enjoy a few drinks, great jazz, and a buzzy vibe on the rooftop of Hotel Danmark every Friday in August. The evening runs from 4 – 9, so it’s perfect for a Friday after-work drink with friends. Entrance is free; drinks, sadly, are not.
High On Luxury: Lost Treasures of the Roman Empire Exhibit at Glyptoteket
Silver, gold, gems and luxury items created during the Roman Empire, celebrating artisan craftsmanship and decadence. If you’re in the mood to party, but in a super-cultured way, this is the exhibit for you.
“Vogue Like a Painting” Exhibit at GL Strand
Explore the connections between fine arts and fashion photography with this lush, gorgeous exhibition in the lovely GL Strand space. There are over 60 works – all painterly in nature – by 28 fashion photographers. A real treat! On until the beginning of September.
“MAJ 68 -The French Posters” Exhibit at Designmuseum Danmark
Celebrating 50 years since the student rebellions in Paris of 1968, this small selection of posters highlights what the protests were about as well as the artistry that can come of protest. The posters are to-the-point and attention-grabbing; it’s a study of both function and form. On until the end of September.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
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